"TWEET! Recess is over, return to your classroom!"
"TWEET! Get out of the pool!"
"TWEET! Make way for ducklings!"
Maybe it was the fact that I haven't had much time to draw, or maybe it's because I just finished reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick and am still under the spell of those breathtakingly exquisite pencil drawings, but I was in the mood to do a simple sketch this week. This is the nickel-plated whistle that I carry to school with me when I teach. It belonged to my mother-in-law, who taught school for forty years. As I looked at my whistle, I thought of this drawing by another illustrator that did exquisite pencil work, Robert McCloskey. As a child, I adored Make Way for Ducklings, and Homer Price. I remember looking at those illustrations, and marveling that they were done with some of my favorite things...pencils and paper.
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| from Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey |
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| from The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick |
great drawing
ReplyDeleteoh, what a sweet tweet! :D
ReplyDeleteNice pencil sketch...I have to admit that I've always enjoyed quality pencil work over everything else...even 'simple' sketches often have much more life to them...
ReplyDeleteStraight forward idea, and straight forward drawing. It's nice to see that once in a while! Also very nice to see correct ovals and perspective and such. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI really love your style. I cannot get over some of the previous images you illustrated. All I can say is WOW!
ReplyDeleteGood work! I love a well done pencil drawing!
ReplyDeleteYour work is so beautiful, and I love that your whistle has a history! The bee is fabulous also, such delicacy.
ReplyDeleteExquisite in it's simplicity! I, too, loved Make Way for Ducklings as a child and also reading it to my son. The whistle also brings back memories of recess.
ReplyDeleteYour whistle drawing is so beautiful, I agree that the Invention of Hugo Cabret can be an amazing influence with those unbelievable drawings.
ReplyDeleteYour artwork is wonderful and you chose to highlight two of my favorite books. My very first Library book was Make Way for Ducklings. I can still remember how it felt to hear my sister read it to me. And I have my own copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret that I wander through quite often. Love your honey Bee ... all your work is a delight for the eyes and food for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI love the quality of this sketch - quickly rendered lines yet a refined image. Thank you for the post on my blog. I work in the museum field so I was amused by your insightful "exhibits" comment.
ReplyDeleteGreat drawing-love the bee below too!
ReplyDeleteLove love the whistle with its sketchy movement. Right down my alley! And who doesn't just adore McCloskey's work and now Ineed to go find The Invention of Hugo Cabret... As always lovely!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! How appropriate, well rendered, and direct!
ReplyDeleteI love how you render!! Also that book looks pretty cool, I need to check it out, thanks for the recommendation :)
ReplyDeleteHi again, Sarah. I realized I first commented via my other google account (I've always been good at breeding confusion). Anyway, this image deserves two comments. I think it's great!
ReplyDeleteYour whistle takes me way back to the days when all teachers carried one on their keychains! Beautiful pencil work, all three examples. Thanks for sharing! :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much. And if you haven't read Hugo Cabret, I can't recommend it enough. The illustrations will take your breath away.
ReplyDeleteOh such lovely lines. You could almost morph part of the whistle into a drum. You have inspired me to work with pencils a bit more. Thanks for the comment too.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, thanks for stopping by my blog, its great to have found your blog too. You have some amazing work, i love your whistle.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pencil drawing......
ReplyDeleteExcellent drawing and a good illustration for warning!
ReplyDeleteLovely whistle! I especially like the way I can just make out the initial construction lines and the way the lanyard fades away.
ReplyDeleteBTW -- "Make Way For Ducklings" was by FAR my favorite book in the first grade. Thanks for the memory. :)
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments on my blog - this week and last! I'm the one with that fantastic visual dictionary - - it was a gift from a friend and is just gorgeous to flip through. I also love Brian Selznick, so happy to see some of his illustrations here. Your work is so beautiful and quiet, and I love the linework on this piece.
:) Emma
love the simpleness of the whistle. YOU could do a Hugo Cabaret book Sarah!
ReplyDeleteYour work is gorgeous! So neat and professional!
ReplyDeletethe Invention of Hugo Cabret is an incredible book isn't it! I really need to do more pencil sketching i think, thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeletethe Invention of Hugo Cabret is an incredible book isn't it! I really need to do more pencil sketching i think, thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBrian Selznick's work is just fantastic.
ReplyDelete